Friday, October 5, 2012

VIFF 2012 - Day 8

No

directed by Pablo Larraín

Chile

Brilliant telling of one of the most fascinating political revolutions in recent history. It's shot with a retro 'home movie' look that makes the action look just like the archival footage and clips from the 80s. The ongoing personal drama of Gael Garcia Bernal's character never really works, but everything else is captivating and fun to watch.

Siedl certainly has a unique provocative style. Straddling the line between side-show oddity and unflinching drama, it's a funny yet sad tale of loneliness and exploitation that is almost guaranteed to make the viewer uncomfortable more than once. One scene in particular caused the most walk outs I've seen at the festival to date. Brave acting but not exactly exceptional, and the characters are purposely unlikeable. Still its enough to make me curious about the rest of the trilogy.

Otelo Burning

directed by Sara Blecher

South Africa

It has an interesting premise (black surfers near the end of apartheid South Africa), but the acting and the heightened melodrama come across as trying too hard and are never quite convincing. Still, the actual surfing footage and in-water camera work are impressive, and it has the most memorable opening and closing credits sequences I've seen so far.

Liverpool

directed by Manon Briand

Canada

A crowd pleasing, French New Wave inspired, romantic comedy from Quebec. This one received the loudest and most sustained applause so far. Cool soundtrack, quite funny at times, and there's some on-the-mark commentary about today's technologically connected society. However, it relies too much on silly cliches, generic music cues, and contrived plot developments. Also, the lead actress has a very childlike voice takes some getting used to.

The Hunt (Jagten)

directed by Thomas Vinterberg

Denmark

A brilliant and highly unsettling return to form from Thomas Vinterberg, and another powerhouse performance from Mads Mikkelsen who gets amazing support from the rest of the cast. The harrowing story unfolds with great precision and the camera work is stellar, capturing all the right details and emotions along the way to pull the audience's strings without it feeling forced. Don't miss this, it's one of the best films of the year.

6 comments:

That's very interesting about The Hunt. When I saw the trailer I confess I groaned - oh god ANOTHER teacher accused of accosting children story - even though it looked like a well made, well acted film. However, as usual, your opinion matters enormously, so I am all turned around. I now look forward to it coming out and I am keen to see it. Thanks for a wonderful day's run down. Wishing DESPERATELY I was there!The other films look fabulous as well.

Just to clarify, these are your own reactions to the movies unlike with the Cannes stuff? The Hunt is screening in January and with that recommendation from your own fingers this goes to the top of the shortlist.

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